JOSHUA 24
3 Outlines
Joshua 24:14-15
MAKE UP YOUR MIND
Joshua 24:14-15 - Now
therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity
and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side
of the flood, and in
At the end of his life, Joshua was challenging the
children of
They needed to make up their minds (decide) whom they
would serve.
PREFERRED CHOICE – Vs. 14
Of course, the preferred and best choice was to “fear
the Lord and serve him in sincerity and truth”.
All other Gods were to be put away!
POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES – Vs. 15a
There were other gods that could be worshipped
including the gods of
PERSONAL DECISION – Vs. 15b
As far as Joshua and those he led in his family, this
was a “no-brainer”. He and his family
would serve the Lord!
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Joshua 24
CHALLENGE TO GODLINESS
He had served as Moses' servant.
He had been Moses' general for the armies of
He and Caleb had been the only spies that came back
from the promised land, wanting to go in.
He had taken over leadership of
He led
Now he was at the end of his life. He would pass on
the torch to men known as judges, who would rule the land.
It was time for him to give his farewell speech to the
nation.
What would this man of God, General Joshua, say to the
people? He knew their bent towards sin. He knew that they were prone to wander
away from God. Under the guidance and power of the
Holy Spirit, he challenged them to Godliness.
You and I, who live many years after Joshua, need to
be challenged to Godliness as well.
REVIEW OF THE PAST - Vss. 1-13
It is always good to remember past blessing.
Joshua reminds
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRESENT - Vss. 14-15
God's blessings require our current cooperation.
Because He has been so good to us, we should chose to
serve Him now.
RECOGNITION OF A PROBLEM - Vss. 16-20
When Joshua gave his challenge to the people to chose
whom they would serve, they evidently answered quickly. In Vs. 19 he reminds
them of their bent towards sin. He basically tells the Israelites that they
can't do what they were promising to do. And it's true for us as well. In our
own strength we can not live Godly lives. We need God's strength.
RESOLVE TO PERFORM - Vss. 21-24
The people are persistent.
They claim that they will serve the Lord.
Joshua points out that they are witnesses against
themselves.
Later on their own words could be witnesses against
them if they did not do as they said they would. The people agreed with Joshua
and resolved to serve the Lord.
REMINDER OF THE COMMITMENT - Vss. 26-28
A stone was put up as a reminder.
People would see the stone and remember their
commitment.
Reminders of our commitments are good as well.
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Joshua 24:1-14
GOD AT WORK
At the end of his life Joshua is reviewing what God
has done for
THE GRACE OF GOD - Vss. 2-4
God, in His grace,
1. Called
Abraham out of idolatry to serve Him.
2. Allowed
Abraham to walk the Promised Land
3. Gave Abraham
“seed”, Isaac, Jacob, and Esau.
THE GREATNESS OF GOD - Vss. 5-12
God, in His greatness:
1. Sent Moses
and Aaron – Vs. 5
2. Plagued
3. Brought
4. Delivered
5. Gave
Military Victories – Vss. 8-12
THE GENEROSITY OF GOD - Vs. 13
God gave Israel the land, its cities, and vineyards
and oliveyards which they did not work for.
THE GIFT TO GOD – Vs. 14
In appreciation for what
God had done,
1.
Fear the Lord
2.
Serve Him in sincerity
and truth
3.
Put away false Gods